7.06.2012

&&then I ask why;


Children have a mind that manifests questions as they perceive the world through a wondrous and curious mentality.  They ask simple questions like “Why do I have to go to school?” or “Why does my sister look like me.” The answers to these questions are pretty simple as we learn to understand life and begin to experience the world that is reality. People go to school to learn and gain knowledge on various subjects such as mathematics, science, literature, and social studies and siblings share same physical appearances due to the fact that they are the offspring of the same parents. However, as individuals grow up, there are many questions that will remain unanswered.

While there are many questions that can be explained with reasonable answers, there are still countless numbers of questions that I have that will remain unsolved.  Today I watched the film, Attack on Darfur, which told a story about American journalists who are conflicted when they encounter the problems in Sudan.  In the small village of Darfur, these journalist interview, photograph, and document stories of the local villagers. It is then they hear that the Janaweed, a violent militia, is heading towards Darfur where the people in the village will suffer brutal attacks.  These journalists are faced with the decision of whether to turn back where it is safe, or stay and help the people of Darfur where their chance of surviving is an insufficient percentage.  Uwe Boll, the director of Attack on Dafur, illustrates the distraught reality that occurred eight years ago. He masters the reality and graphic truth of the disturbed genocide of the people of Darfur as he creates an emotional twist by incorporating outside civilians who feel the pain and suffering as they witness the horrifying stories that soon become reality.

It’s 5 in the morning and I cannot sleep due to the fact that I am still torn over the fact that such a cruelty exist.  We hear about genocide in school, we become educated about the number of lives who have been affected, and we even see movies depicting the harsh killings. Contrariwise there is something in humanity that disables us from actually believing such evil exist. Why do people kill? What drives and motivates someone to torture other human beings? Does anyone feel any remorse or guilt after taking a life? Does a piece of them fall after pulling a trigger? What emotional satisfaction does one gain by ending another’s life? Questions in which I will never find the answer. After watching this film, I am feel tempted to go to my Dad because as childish as it may sound, I know that if anything happens to me, I can always run to him, even when I’m scared, sad, upset, or frightened. Regardless of any given situation, I know he will always be there, but who did the people of Darfur have?